The Brigham Young Winter Home in St. George stands in stark contrast to some of the other LDS Church sites in the area, including Jacob Hamblin’s Home. Brother Brigham’s home is a beautiful mansion surrounded by a large yard and fully furnished with elegant pieces.
President Young suffered from arthritis, and he found that the warm winters in St. George eased his aching joints, so he built a home that he could visit when it got cold in the Salt Lake Valley. Free tours, which take around 45 minutes are given in the summer.
The tours actually start in that small building next to the house–the office!
Though the home is large, it is very practical. There is a kitchen, dining area, and living room downstairs. The living room contains an organ that just fit into a wagon box for the trip to St. George. Brigham’s wife would play for him in the evenings. Upstairs there are three bedrooms. The first is small and served as the housekeeper’s quarters. The second is a bit larger and was built for President Young’s wife, Amelia. (Amelia was the only wife that ever spent time at the mansion that we know of.) The third, larger bedroom belonged to Brigham Young.
This is the sitting room.
This is Brigham Young with his wife, Amelia, who traveled with him to help take care of him as he got older.
This table is made from pine. The pioneers painted all the wood in this house (and many houses) to look like different wood. I think it’s amazing.
This piano traveled back and forth with them in the wagon. It is rectangular for that reason, and the legs are removable so it could easily be put into a wagon.
Most of the furnishings in the house are original, so you can see the numbered drawers on his bureau, the table at which he received revelation, and his walking stick and bed. It is said that Brigham could see the progress on the St. George Temple from his window.
The trunk is definitely Amelia’s. It’s the one item in the house that they know for certain was hers.
This is Brigham Young’s room.
That dresser was his trunk that he traveled back and forth with. He numbered the drawers because it is handmade, so each drawer fits in a certain spot.
Other things to see at the Brigham Young Winter Home are the gardens, which include a cotton garden, because Brigham established St. George as a cotton mission. He called missionaries to go to the warmest part of Utah and grow cotton after the Civil War.
There is also an office on the premises where meetings could be held. You’ll start your tour in the office with a brief introduction to St. George, so line up on the north side of the building. Tours are FREE.
This is the office. Your tour begins here and you learn a little about the history of St. George.
This mulberry tree was planted here to raise silk worms.
There are two sets of steep stairs, so be prepared to hold little one’s hands.
The grounds are pretty and the missionaries grow cotton out in the garden.
Directions: Brigham Young Winter Home is located at 67 W 200 N in St. George. Take St. George Blvd west from the 1-15 to 100 W. Turn right onto 100 W and the house will be on the next corner with 200 N and 100 W. There are huge blue signs along the way, so you can watch for them as well.
Hours: Winter 9 am – 5 pm and Summer 9 am – 7 pm. Summer hours started when we were there for Spring Break, but I’m not sure when they end. You could call before, or go early!
